Dinagat municipal execs urged to abandon town hall

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines – After assessing the extent of damage left by last Monday’s landslide that killed six people in Cagdianao town in the province of Dinagat Islands, a team of provincial geologists and engineers has urged Cagdianao officials to abandon the municipal building for the safety of their employees and the public.

Geologist Romeo Onte and the provincial engineering office recommended to Cagdianao officials led by Mayor Marc Adelson Longos to abandon the town hall soonest as a long-term measure.

In a text message to this writer, Dinagat provincial disaster and information officer Ma. Jane Mayola said Longos and other municipal officials have agreed with the team’s recommendation.

Mayola said the Cagdianao officials are now looking for “contingency options in order not to hamper normal day-to-day operations and services” of the municipal government should the municipal building be vacated.

The landslide buried five houses in Barangay Poblacion near the Cagdianao town hall. 

The Office of the Civil Defense in the Caraga region reported that two were rescued while six others were killed in the landslide. 

Mayola identified the fatalities as Atanacio Geltura 62; Realyn Geltura, 41; Michelle Geltura, 34; Felixberto Muñoz 34; two-year-old Alqueder Muñoz; and Primitivo Morales, 33.

A six-year-old boy, Renz Anthony Geltura, and one Jose Cabillan survived the landslide.

The provincial board of Dinagat Islands passed a resolution yesterday to extend P10,000 cash assistance each to the victims’ families, said Vice Gov. Benglen Ecleo, who is now the acting governor.

Meanwhile, classes in all levels in both private and public schools in Dinagat Islands resumed on Tuesday following days of continuous rains that triggered flooding in many parts of the Caraga region.

Ecleo also ordered municipal offices to resume their regular work also on Tuesday.